SBCC Standards of Student Conduct

Summary

The following is a summary of the Santa Barbara Community College District Governing Board policies for Student Personnel; Section 3231, Standards of Student Conduct; Section 3235, Student Grievance Policy; and section 3232, Alcohol/Drug Use Policy.

We at Santa Barbara City College , as members of an institution of higher education, believe that our special contribution to the achievement of the ideal of social justice is to provide a setting in which ideas may be freely explored and objectively examined. A student enrolling at Santa Barbara City College assumes an obligation to act in a manner compatible with the college's functions as an educational institution. These regulations apply on campus and at all college-sponsored activities or at activities sponsored by college clubs or organizations on or off campus, except where specifically limited. Students shall be subject to college discipline for any of the following misconduct, which occurs at any time on campus, or at any off-campus facility or college-approved or sponsored function.

Adherence to Standards

All Santa Barbara City College students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with, as well as to conform to, college rules and regulations governing personal conduct on all campuses of the institution. Violations of such rules and regulations, for which students are subject to disciplinary action, include, but are not limited to, the following . . .

A . Continued disruptive behavior, continued willful disobedience, habitual profanity or vulgarity, or open and persistent defiance of the authority of, or persistent abuse of, college personnel.

B . Assault, battery, or any threat of force or violence upon a student or college personnel.

C . Willful misconduct which results in injury or death to a student or college personnel or which results in cutting, defacing, or other injury to any real or personal property owned by the college.

D . The use, sale, offer to sell, possession or furnishing of, or presence under the influence of, any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the California Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind; or unlawful possession of, or offering, arranging or negotiating the sale of any drug paraphernalia, as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 11014.5, or any poison classified as such by Schedule D in Section 4160 of the Business and Professions Code. The Governing Board may authorize students to serve alcoholic beverages at college-sponsored events.

E . Willful or persistent smoking in any area where smoking has been prohibited by law or by regulation of the Governing Board.

F . Persistent disruptions or serious misconduct including inordinate demands for time and attention in the classroom, from administrative staff or at campus activity, including, but not limited to, abuse of the disciplinary process, where other means of correction have failed to bring about proper conduct.

G . Committing or attempting to commit robbery or extortion.

H . Causing or attempting to cause damage to district property or to private property on campus.

I. * Academic dishonesty, including, but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, or using other individuals to take course or placement exams.

J . Dishonesty; forgery, alteration, or misuse of College documents, records, or identification, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college.

K . Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other College activities, including but not limited to, its community services functions or of other authorized activities on College premises.

L . Verbal harassment, physical abuse or hazing or discriminatory behavior based on race, sex, (i.e., gender) religion, age, national origin, disability, or any other status protected by law, on or off College premises, of the person or property of any member of the College community or members of his or her family or the threat of any such physical abuse at any College authorized or governed activity.

M . Stealing or attempting to steal district property or private property on campus, including, but not limited to the theft or abuse of computer time or knowingly receiving stolen district property or private property on campus.

N . Unauthorized entry upon or use of College facilities.

O . Violation of College policies or campus regulations, including, but not limited to, campus regulations concerning student organizations, use of College facilities, gambling and hazing, or the time, place and manner of public expression.

P . Computer-related crimes or unauthorized, abusive or inappropriate use of campus computers, computer networks and computer software, including violations of software licensing agreements.

Q . Failure to comply with directions of College officials acting in the performance of their duties, or failure to identify oneself for just cause when requested to do so by College officials acting in the performance of their duties.

R . Lewd, indecent or obscene conduct on College-owned or controlled property, or at College-sponsored or supervised functions.

S . Unauthorized use of listening or recording devices on campus or at College-sponsored activities.

T . Attendance at any session of any class by a student or person who is not officially enrolled in that class, except with the prior permission of the instructor of the class.

U . Possession, sale or otherwise furnishing any firearm, knife, explosive, dangerous chemical or other dangerous object, including but not limited to any facsimile firearm, knife or explosive, unless, in the case of possession of any object of this type, the student has obtained written permission to possess the item from a district employee, which is concurred in by the college president or designee. Students may posses a facsimile firearm if they are an authorized participant in an educational event related to college activity or college attendance.

V . Sexual assault, acquaintance or date rape, sexual activity without mutual and expressed consent at any College authorized or governed event.

W . Engaging in speech or other expression intended to insult or use of "fighting" words or non-verbal symbols directed at an individual's age, sex, race, color, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or national/ethnic origin which is obscene, libelous or slanderous, or which by their very utterance or expression are likely to incite a violent reaction as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on college premises, or the violation of lawful District administrative procedures, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the District.

X . Attempting, soliciting or assisting another to do any act which would subject a student to expulsion, suspension, or other discipline pursuant to this policy.

Y. Committing sexual harassment as defined by law or by District policies and procedures, which may include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive to limit the ability of a member of the college community (student, faculty, staff) to participate in or benefit from an education program or activity, or to create a hostile or abusive educational environment.

Z . Stalking or repeatedly following or harassing another person through conduct composed of a series of acts that seriously alarm, annoy, torment, or terrorize in a manner that threatens to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety or the safety of his or her immediate family.

* Violations of Standard "I" will be resolved according to the Board of Trustee adopted Academic Honesty Policy.

Authority of Instructors

Pursuant to the authority contained in Education Code sections 76030-32, the Board of Trustees permits an instructor to remove a student, for good cause, from his or her class for the day of removal and the next class meeting. Removal shall be reported in writing, within one day, to the Administrator in charge of disciplinary matters. A student may be removed if he/she has interfered with the instruction process.

Due Process Procedures

The Administrator in charge of disciplinary matters , or his/her designee shall act directly in situations where the student has violated local, state or federal laws, or the SBCC Standards of Student Conduct. The Administrator in charge, or his/her designee shall review each case of misconduct with the involved student and determine appropriate sanctions and/or remedies. The Administrator in charge, or his/her designee shall inform the student in writing of the college's actions and appropriate means of appeal. A formal hearing to appeal a suspension or expulsion may be requested and shall be arranged by the Administrator in charge of disciplinary matters. For further information regarding the disciplinary hearing process, contact the Office of the Administrator in charge of disciplinary matters (Room CC-217).

Violations of Standard will be resolved according to the Board of Trustee adopted Academic Honesty Policy.

Applicable Penalties

In all situations, a student shall be informed of the nature of the charges against him/her and be given a fair opportunity to refute them. The college shall not take arbitrary actions, and a decision may be appealed. Disciplinary action that may be taken because of student misconduct includes the following sanctions . . .

  1. Warning
  2. Reprimand
  3. Disciplinary Probation
  4. Short-term Suspension
  5. Long-term Suspension
  6. Expulsion
  7. Restitution
  8. Hold on Records
  9. Forfeiture of fees
  10. Participation in Special and/or Community Service

Student Grievance Procedures

Reasons for a Grievance

1. A grade, when the student contends it involved a mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence. 2. Act or threat of intimidation or harassment. 3. Act or threat of physical aggression. 4. Arbitrary action or imposition of sanctions without proper regard to academic due process, as specified in college procedures. 5. Violation of student rights, as delineated in college policies.

Initiating a Grievance

A student shall initiate a grievance by:

1. Informal consultation with the faculty member, administrator, or staff member directly involved. 2. Conferring with the supervisor of the aforementioned person. 3. Submitting a signed statement specifying the time, place and nature of the grievance to the Assistant Superintendent / Vice President of Student Affairs. 4. The Assistant Superintendent / Vice President of Student Affairs will determine if sufficient grounds for a hearing exist. 5. If a formal hearing is determined to be necessary, the Assistant Superintendent / Vice President of Student Affairs shall initiate it within ten (10) days.

For further information regarding the grievance procedures, contact the Assistant Superintendent / Vice President of Student Affairs.

Alcohol & Drug Abuse Policy

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 require institutions of higher education to implement a drug prevention program, which includes the annual dissemination of the following policy on alcohol and drug use.

Santa Barbara City College is committed to the success of each student and as a college, we realize that the use of alcohol and drugs can be a major impediment to success.

There are both physical and psychological health risks associated with drug and alcohol use, including decreased immunity, exhaustion, decreased muscle coordination, depression, confusion and paranoia, among other conditions. In most cases, anyone who uses drugs and abuses alcohol can expect a decline in the quality of his/her life.

Through the Health Services and Wellness Program and the Student Athletic Assistance Program (SAAP), SBCC offers classes, educational programming, resources and counseling as well as referrals to community service agency counseling and rehabilitation programs.

According to the Standards of Student Conduct, possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on college property or during campus-related activities are subject to disciplinary action. This can be up to, and including, expulsion from SBCC, as well as punishment under California State law, including from six months to one year in county jail, or up to five years in State prison.

Revised 8/03